Gorilla Glue Reviews

About Gorilla Glue

By HighYa Staff

Gorilla Glue is an industrial strength, waterproof polyurethane glue that claims to be suitable for indoor and outdoor use, and to bond to virtually any material, including wood, stone, metal, ceramic, foam, glass, and more. As such, Gorilla Glue claims to be incredibly strong and 100% tough for essentially any application you need.

Bonding two surfaces together can be a tricky process, and it’s admittedly difficult to formulate an adhesive that works across as many different surfaces as Gorilla Glue claims. So when it comes down to it, does Gorilla Glue actually bond as well as it claims? When should you use it, and when is something else a better choice?

Gorilla Glue Products

The Gorilla Glue Company, based out of Cincinnati, OH, manufactures a wide variety of industrial strength adhesives, the most popular of which is Gorilla Glue. This polyurethane-based formula is claimed to provide immense holding power by expanding 3X into the tiny folds and crevices of nearly any material, such as wood, plastic, metal, and much more. Gorilla Glue can also be sanded, painted, and stained, making it useful for almost any situation.

With this in mind, to use Gorilla Glue you’ll need to do the following:

Clean the surfaces you’ll be applying Gorilla Glue to, and if necessary, roughen them up for better adhesion. Ideally, you’ll also need to dampen the surface.

Apply Gorilla Glue evenly and sparingly, and spread with a disposable brush if necessary.

Press the objects together and hold in place using clamps, a heavy object, or even rubber bands if small enough.

Gorilla Glue will be 80% dry in 1-2 hours and fully cured in 24 hours. After using, store the glue in a cool, dry place.

In addition to Gorilla Glue, the company also manufactures a wide range of other adhesives in the USA, including Super Glue, Wood Glue, Epoxy, Clear Repair, Tape, and Self-Standing Bags.

Gorilla Glue Pricing & Refund Policy

Gorilla products are not sold through the manufacturer’s website, although their products are available from hundreds of third-party retails, which typically range in price between $3 and $72. As such, returns/refunds will be at the discretion of each retailer.

However, if you’d like to contact Gorilla Glue about questions or concerns, customer service can be reached at 800-966-3458.

What Do Other Consumers Have to Say About Gorilla Glue?

Overall, Gorilla Glue seems to have an overwhelmingly positive online customer reputation, although some of the most common complaints appear to revolve around glue drying inside the nozzle, thereby making it essentially useless after one application, high price when compared to the competition, and that it’s not well suited for small, detailed repairs. Also, while many customers like the fact that the glue expands into each surface, many others felt this caused a big, unnecessary mess.

Is Gorilla Glue the Best Option When Joining 2 Surfaces?

Given the fact that the DIY market is filled with all kinds of adhesives, does Gorilla Glue work as well as it claims? Should you use it for your next repair? Maybe, but remember the following:

Adhesion & Versatility

Based on customer reviews, while it appears that Gorilla Glue does have the ability to bond to most surfaces, it may not bond to every surface equally as well. As such, it seems that it bonds firmly to porous surfaces such as wood, although metal to metal seems to form the weakest bond.

On top of this, Gorilla Glue claims that it can be formed and shaped using sandpaper, a file, or even a Dremel, which can make it ideal for filling holes and cracks.

Relearn How to Use Glue

Do you normally apply as much glue as possible when bonding two surfaces? The more the merrier, right?

Not so with Gorilla Glue. Since it expands 3X in order to work its way into whatever surface you’re applying it to, it probably isn’t like any other adhesive you’ve previously used. As such, it’s important to use Gorilla Glue sparingly. Otherwise, you might have a big, sticky mess to clean up.

Also, compared to most “super glues,” Gorilla Glue has a relatively long bonding time, so it might not be ideal for last-minute fixes. And unless you’re gluing together 2 relatively heavy items, you’ll need to use clamps to achieve the best bond.

A Little Goes a Long Way

Since Gorilla Glue expands up to 3X, a little bit can go a long way. And because it comes with a relatively high price, you’ll probably want to purchase the smallest bottle you’ll need for your intended application.

Speaking of which: According to numerous customer reviews we encountered during our research, Gorilla Glue tends to dry inside the nozzle after only one use, making it essentially useless thereafter. This makes purchasing the smallest bottle required even more important. Tip: You can also cut a small portion off the tip to gain access to the glue each time you use it.

Bottom line:

For most applications, Gorilla Glue appears to be a strong adhesive that can permanently bond to most surfaces. However, it expands greatly and requires water to activate, so getting everything right might take some trial and error.

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Well worth the price.

I have a metal floor lamp that was in need of repair. I tried other glues and even tape to secure the two broken segments to no avail. But after using Gorilla Glue with a little water, the bond was permanent. I should note the use of the smallest amount is recommended as the glue will expand. Not sure how others were disappointed but I highly recommend Gorilla Glue. I've worked with their wood glue and tape as well with satisfying results.

Disappointed customer

Tried on several surfaces using the instructions from the case, nothing. Bubble gum is better for the purpose.

I'll never buy any products made by this company. The product is a real scam. I do not recommend to anybody this one, this does not work. I really do not understand how they can sell this as a glue; it is water.

Don't buy this rubbish

I have tried this product at home and at work, it's absolutely useless. I followed the instructions, sprayed water and only used a bit on one surface. I have never known it to stick anything. Top tip sticks to super glue.

Saved the holiday

On January 12th, while getting ready to leave on a Caribbean cruise, I dropped my denture in the sink. I broke one front tooth in half and another front right out. It was Saturday so no dentists or denturists were available. I used Gorilla Glue to reattach both and it worked fantastically. No problems on a week-long cruise and still holding on January 22nd. THANKS.

Dries at snail's pace, does not hold

I attempted to repair a ceramic Christmas statue. After about one hour of dry time, the lightweight piece just fell off. I'm a woodworker by avocation (and pre-retirement in construction) so am good with my hands, but have had previous poor results with Gorilla products as well (okay, I'm a slow learner) and am done. Stick with Super Glue or Titebond products. You will be happier.

Shifty glue

My glasses broke and I cleaned the metal frame. I clamped the frame per instructions. I let it dry for 3 hours. I unclamped it and they fell apart. The worst glue I have ever bought. 99-cent super glue works better.

Like a rock

Brand new bottle of Gorilla Glue, just opened it for the first time to use. And as a side note, there were no directions on the bottle about how to open it. I finally cut the top to open it. At this point, I discover that the glue is as hard as a rock. Not happy. Going back to my old standby, Elmer’s!

Antique glass shade restored

Recently I purchased at an auction a pair of antique candlesticks fitted with glass chimneys, one of which was broken and held together with tape. Though not essential, they were original, so I decided to try Gorilla Glue to mend the broken glass. This worked far in excess of expectation, and the broken globe is once more in one piece, not perfect obviously, but certainly acceptable for display. To be honest, if I had known how well this was going to work, I would have been a bit fussier about making the joint by using less glue!

Messy but it works

I used the glue to bond my car key that broke from the fob. Don't forget to lightly wet the surface before application. So far so good. I tried three products, including super glue, on this task and Gorilla Glue is the only one to work. I saved over £150 for a new key.

Total rubbish

I had very high hopes, but in fact, it was total rubbish. I bought a bottle in B&Q and had tried to glue various bits and pieces of a bobble cane on my suede pumps, so it was suede to suede didn’t work! I tried a porcelain ornament, it didn’t work, tried plastic to plastic, it didn’t work. And this was allowing two days to set using a very thinly amount. My advice, it’s all a load of hype. Save your money and stick with super glue. My stuff is ruined and unrepairable, as it’s all been left with this grey mess. I can’t try any other product! AVOID.